Zoey 101: An Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 11

Chase stepped into the upstairs bathroom, releasing a long breath. Damn it, he was crazy for not walking away. But he couldn’t leave Zoey. Not now, when her parents’ murderer was roaming the streets. And besides, she was injured.

Yeah, her sprained ankle is the reason you’re sticking around, his conscience taunted.

He ignored the voice, and focused on drawing a bath for Zoey. His breath hitched as he pictured Zoey lying in the hot water, her soft, naked body slick from the water, her wet hair curling at the ends. When he found a bottle of bubble bath in the cupboard under the sink, all he could think about was how those white, sparkling bubbles would look against Zoey’s body. When he smelled the fruity aroma of those bubbles, all he could imagine was nuzzling his head in the crook of her neck and breathing in her sweet scent.

"It’s ready." He entered the bedroom, where he’d deposited Zoey on the queen-size mahogany bed.

He helped her up and led her to the bathroom. Zoey hesitated in the doorway. "I think I’ll fall over if I try taking these clothes off myself." Her voice sounded small and embarrassed to his ears.

Cotton lined every inch of his throat. She wanted him to undress her? He wasn’t sure he’d be able to resist touching her if he started taking off her clothes. But when he saw how she struggled to balance herself on one leg, he realized he had no other choice.

Chase took a deep breath and then, with surprisingly steady hands, he reached for the button of her jeans. Fighting every urge telling him to devour her body, he focused on removing the jeans, which only deepened his hunger. Her soft hand held his shoulder as she wiggled one leg out of the wet denim, then the other. The lacy white panties she wore were so damn appealing, he nearly came apart just looking at her.

"Chase."

"Yes?" he said thickly.

"I’m sorry if this is making you uncomfortable."

Uncomfortable? Oh, he was uncomfortable, all right. More than she’d ever know.

"It’s fine." He cleared his throat. "Turn around."

He gripped the hem of her shirt and tugged it upward, all the while knowing Zoey was perfectly capable of doing this part herself. She’d hurt her ankle, not her arms, yet Chase couldn’t stop himself from taking off the rest of her clothes. She didn’t protest, or try to take over, and the soft hitch of her breath told him she enjoyed this slow undressing as much as he did.

Chase couldn’t tear his gaze off her, as his brain swam in a pool of satin and lace. The bra she wore held her high breasts lovingly, and creamy-white skin swelled over each cup. The cotton in his mouth thickened until he could barely get out a breath.

He reached for the clasp of her bra and slowly unhooked it, willing his body to relax. Dropping the lacy bra on the tiled floor, he reached for the waistband of her panties, took a deep breath and pushed the garment down her legs.

His heart slammed against his ribs, bruising each and every one, as he encountered the most delicious feminine behind. Her firm, rosy bottom made his blood buzz in his ears and his pulse race.

"Get in the tub," he barked, hoping that once she disappeared into that mound of bubbles, so would his need for her.

He held on to her arm as she raised a foot into the tub, then forced himself to turn away as she sank into the warm water. When he looked back, she was hidden in the bubbles, but his need was still there. Like a forest fire refusing to burn out.

"Call me when you’re ready to get out," he muttered, making for the door.

Her husky voice stopped him from leaving. "No. I want you to stay."